Other assessments

In addition to a medical assessment to determine a patient’s ‘fitness’ for surgery, other factors are important in the holistic care of a patient. This is especially relevant if a patient will be staying for one or more nights after a major procedure. More details are below:

Nursing

Patients with cognitive impairment should be flagged as they will ideally be placed on the ward close to a nursing station.

Infective diseases

Inpatients will need to undergo screening for MRSA. This is performed as standard during the clinic visit.

Pain

If the patient takes medicines for chronic neuropathic pain, or has a diagnosis of a specific pain syndrome, the pain team should be notified of the planned admission of that patient.

Physiotherapy/Occupational therapy

Patients with BMI > 40 should be flagged.

Dietetics

Special arrangements for theatre

Theatre need to be notified if a patient weighs >120kg as a bariatric bed will be required.